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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Tracey M. Vacek, Senior Planner
DATE: October 3, 2018
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance Vacating a Portion of Dedicated Public Right of Way for Southlawn Place adjacent to property located at 1424 Southlawn Place (Aurora University - 18-0455 / AU20/4-18-125-V/Fsd/Fpn/R - TV - Ward 4)
PURPOSE:
The Petitioner Aurora University is requesting to vacate a portion of dedicated public right of way for Southlawn Place adjacent to property located at 1424 Southlawn Place to incorporate it into the Aurora University Campus.
BACKGROUND:
The Subject Property currently includes Aurora University, a private, post-secondary institution of higher education with accredited Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral level programs. The Campus currently consists of approximately 40 acres and includes 18 major buildings, 7 parking lots and a football field/soccer field with bleachers. The University has acquired all but one property on the south side of Southlawn Place, which is currently a single-family dwelling with R-1 One-Family Dwelling District zoning. Some of the homes acquired have been demolished and have been devoted to open space until redevelopment occurs. The remaining acquired homes are being used for University offices, classrooms and a studio.
The Petitioner is also requesting approval of a Plat of Vacation for a portion of Southlawn Place right of way. The University now owns all of the properties on Southlawn Place except for one privately owned homes. Since the University has to maintain the public right of way to this house, they are only requesting to vacate the right of way along 1424 Southlawn Place.
Concurrently with this proposal, the Petitioner is requesting approval of a Final Plat Revision. With the approval of the 2018 Plan Description and Master Plan, it is anticipated that the University owned lots would be consolidated and Southlawn right of way would be vacated as the properties are acquired and incorporated into the University’s Master Plan. The proposal is to consolidate the property that is currently owned by the Aurora University into one lot. The property north of Marseillaise Place, which is also owned by Aurora University, is not anticipated to be consolidated, therefore, is not part of this plat.
The Petitioner is also requesting approval of a Final Plan with a variance. The details of the request include the construction of a 147,600 sq. ft. 4-story parking deck, with a total of 503 parking spaces. This will bring the total campus parking to 1560 parking spaces. Access into the parking deck is located at the northwest corner and on the east side of the building. The drive aisle along the east side of the parking deck is being widened to accommodate a left turn bay at the intersection with Prairie Street. The gate located on the vacated portion of Southlawn Place is being moved to the west between the proposed parking deck and the adjacent property to alleviate traffic on Southlawn Place. A structured detention system is being proposed under the parking deck to fulfill the stormwater requirements.
The building elevation for the parking deck is a combination of red brick, precast, and glass. The Petitioner is proposing Aurora University signage along the east elevation and the inlay of the Aurora University's logo on the north elevation. Landscaping is being implemented around the entire building. As part of the proposal, the Petitioner is requesting a variance to increase the height of the parking deck from 35' to an average of 41' 7 23/32" and a maximum of 55' 10 1/2". Per the Aurora University plan description, this variance does not require a public hearing.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has reviewed the Plat of Vacation petition and have sent comments back to the petitioner on those submittals. The petitioner has made the requested revisions to these documents and they now meet the applicable codes and ordinances.
IMPACT STATEMENT :
The Planning and Zoning Division would anticipate that this project will increase the City’s viability by enhancing and improving services to its residence.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff would recommend APPROVAL of the Ordinance Vacating a Portion of Dedicated Public Right of Way for Southlawn Place adjacent to property located at 1424 Southlawn Place.
ATTACHMENTS:
EXHIBITS:
Exhibit "A" Plat of Vacation
Location Map
Legistar Number: 18-0455
cc: Alderman Saville, Chairman
Alderman Jenkins
Alderman Franco
Alderman Donnell, Alternate
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
An Ordinance Vacating a Portion of Dedicated Public Right of Way for Southlawn Place adjacent to property located at 1424 Southlawn Place
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the territory shown on Exhibit “A” both hereto attached and incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth and hereinafter referred to as said Exhibit “A” was heretofore granted and dedicated to the City of Aurora for the purposes of a public right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Aurora has determined that the public interest will be served by a vacation of said public right-of-way as it is shown on said Exhibit “A”; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois,
Section One: That said City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois finds as fact all of the preamble recitals of this ordinance.
Section Two: That part of the public right-of-way heretofore dedicated upon the territory shown on Exhibit “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth and hereafter referred to as said Exhibit “A” shall be, and is, hereby vacated.
Section Three: That this Ordinance and the vacating of said public right-of-way, shall become effective upon the passage, signage and publication hereof.
Section Four: That the City Clerk be and is hereby authorized and directed to cause this Ordinance, the legal description and Plat of Vacation designated as said Exhibit “A” to be places on record forthwith with the applicable County Recorder of Deeds.
Section Five: That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect, and shall be controlling, upon its passage and approval.
Section Six: That all ordinances or parts of ordinances thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of any such conflict.
Section Seven: That any Section or provision of this ordinance that is construed to be invalid or void shall not affect the remaining Sections or provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect thereafter.